- #1
Impulse
- 19
- 0
Currently we're discussing uniform circular motion in my physics class.
The previous unit discussed vectors and vector addition in the i, j, k format. When I try to apply the rules for vector addition to find the resultant velocity in uniform circular motion, I get an increase in the magnitude of the velocity vector.
For example, say an object is in uniform circular motion around a circle of radius 2m with a tangential velocity of 6m/s. It's centripetal acceleration, v^2 / r, is therefore 18m/s^2 perpendicular to the direction of motion.
So if the tangential velocity = 6i + 0j, and if the centripetal acceleration = 0i + 18j, the resultant vector would have a magnitude of sqrt(6^2 + 18^2) or about 19, which clearly isn't uniform circular motion.
How should I think about this problem differently? Is it correct to add the initial velocity vector and the acceleration vector to find the final velocity, even though the units are different?
The previous unit discussed vectors and vector addition in the i, j, k format. When I try to apply the rules for vector addition to find the resultant velocity in uniform circular motion, I get an increase in the magnitude of the velocity vector.
For example, say an object is in uniform circular motion around a circle of radius 2m with a tangential velocity of 6m/s. It's centripetal acceleration, v^2 / r, is therefore 18m/s^2 perpendicular to the direction of motion.
So if the tangential velocity = 6i + 0j, and if the centripetal acceleration = 0i + 18j, the resultant vector would have a magnitude of sqrt(6^2 + 18^2) or about 19, which clearly isn't uniform circular motion.
How should I think about this problem differently? Is it correct to add the initial velocity vector and the acceleration vector to find the final velocity, even though the units are different?